Tir 25 — February 02

Peter and the Loaf of Bread

Long ago there was a man named Peter whose job was to collect taxes, which means gathering money for the king. Peter was not kind. He never wanted to share, and his heart was hard. People even called him names because he was so unkind.

But God loved Peter and wanted to help him grow kind. One day a poor man came and asked Peter for food. Just then Peter's helper walked by carrying bread. Peter grabbed one loaf and threw it at the poor man. He did not do it to be nice. He did it to make the man go away! Still, the poor man took the bread and went home happy.

That night Peter had a dream. He saw a big set of scales, like the kind that weigh things to see which side is heavier. On one side was a pile of all the unkind things he had done. The good angels looked and looked for one good thing Peter had ever done. At last they found the one loaf of bread he had thrown to the poor man, and they set it on the other side.

When Peter woke up, his heart felt soft and sorry. From that day on, everything changed. He gave his house and all that he owned to people who were poor. Then he went far away to a quiet place in the desert and became a monk, living a simple life of prayer. Peter served God for the rest of his days, and he died in peace.

One small act of kindness, even a single loaf of bread, is never too little for God to see.

Brave Saint Sebastianus

Saint Sebastianus grew up in the city of Rome, in a family that loved God. He was wise and good, and the rulers gave him an important job helping to lead the city. When Sebastianus prayed, sick people got well, and people who could not see were able to see again. God was working through him.

But the ruler at that time, named Diocletian, stopped believing in God. He wanted everyone to bow down to statues instead, pretend gods called idols that are not real at all. He told Sebastianus he had to do this too. But Sebastianus loved the one true God, and he would not.

Wicked men hurt Sebastianus because he would not stop trusting God, and he gave his life rather than turn away. That is what makes someone a martyr. He was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to God.

After he went to heaven, Sebastianus appeared in a dream to a kind woman named Ludsena and showed her where his body was, so she could care for it gently. And God made a special promise: anyone who remembers Sebastianus and asks for his prayers would be kept safe and healthy.

God made a promise that all who remember Sebastianus and call on him would be kept safe and well.

Saint 'Askel

Today we also remember Saint 'Askel. He loved God with his whole heart and stayed faithful to the very end, giving his life as a martyr too. He was not afraid, because he trusted that God would carry him safely home to heaven. We ask this brave saint to pray for us all.